The much-awaited Fire and Life Safety Bill, aimed at ensuring fire safety and regulating preventive measures across Madhya Pradesh, continues to remain stuck in procedural delays.
The draft Bill, prepared by the Urban Development and Housing Department, is currently pending approval from the Law Department. Following that, it will require clearances from the Finance and Home departments before it can finally be tabled for implementation.
Despite the administrative bottlenecks, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla has already written to officials urging early implementation of the Bill. The move comes as Madhya Pradesh has been preparing to adopt the national Model Fire and Emergency Act for the past six years, but has yet to take it forward. The proposed law aims to bring uniformity and accountability to the fire safety framework, making fire certification mandatory for all public, commercial, and high-rise buildings. It will also introduce penalties for violation of safety norms and create a special “Safety Fund” to strengthen the fire management system in urban and semi-urban areas.
According to official sources, the Bill proposes mandatory fire safety audits and certifications for buildings above 15 meters in height or with a floor area of over 500 square meters.
These buildings will require a valid fire safety certificate before receiving completion or occupancy approval from local bodies. Importantly, the Bill also emphasises capacity building by mandating training programs for personnel responsible for enforcing safety norms.
A separate fund has been proposed to support training institutions and create public awareness about fire safety preparedness.
The legislation envisions coordination between multiple departments to ensure compliance. However, the multi-stage approval process — from the Law Department to the Finance and Home Departments — has slowed its progress. While several states have already implemented the Model Fire and Emergency Services Bill, Madhya Pradesh remains in the final stages of drafting and approval. Officials said that the estimated budget for establishing an effective fire management infrastructure stands at around `397.54 crore, which includes setting up new fire stations, upgrading existing facilities, and providing modern equipment.
Once enacted, the Fire and Life Safety Bill is expected to overhaul the state’s approach toward fire prevention, mitigation, and response. The initiative aims not only to ensure stricter building compliance but also to minimise loss of life and property during fire-related incidents.
Deputy CM Shukla’s directive reflects the growing urgency to make the Bill operational at the earliest, as the state continues to witness frequent fire accidents due to lax enforcement and outdated safety systems.
The Government hopes that the new framework, once cleared, will align Madhya Pradesh with national standards and help build safer urban environments.
